In many ways, Tottenham has become this summer’s Chelsea by playing an active role in the transfer market similar to how the Blues have conducted business in previous years. Tottenham is banking on the success of the new players and manager Juande Ramos this season. If Spurs isn’t able to mount a serious challenge this year, there’ll be hell to pay.

If Spurs are able to land Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko, the club probably won’t make any other major transfer signings but will instead concentrate on getting the side ready for the beginning of the new Premier League season scheduled for August 16.

After quite a silly season in the transfer market, deals are beginning to get signed and the excitement is building for the new season, one which promises to be the most competitive in many, many years.

About Christopher Harris

Founder and publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris is the managing editor of the site. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who has lived in Florida since 1984, has supported Swansea City since 1979. He's also an expert on soccer in South Florida, and got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.
Harris launched EPL Talk in 2005, which was rebranded as World Soccer Talk in 2013.
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I second properyid. Spurs do not view dos Santos as a striker. And even Arshavin is a second striker who can also play attacking mid or winger.

Spurs have three pure strikers right now who will see time at some point this season in Berbatov (if he stays), Bent and Pekhart (has spent a lot of time with the first team in friendlies, should see at least a few minutes sometime during 08/09).

Pekhart is only 19 and has spent his entire Spurs career with the reserve side. I doubt Ramos is going to count on production from him.

That leaves only Berbatov and Bent as the only pure strikers on the club. Adding Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko seems to round out that group nicely, and the Spurs have enough money to land these two without selling Berbatov, especially after their dealings with Sunderland and likely sale of Kaboul to Pompey or the Black Cats or whomever.

I think Berbatov is going to stay, and for a long time, as Spurs will be able to give him Champions league football next season (and he’s still under contract through the ’10/’11 season).

Why would anyone want Berba to go?? He is impossible to replace. If we are playing with one striker next season, there are few better than him. With the creativity around him, he could net 40 goals next season!! We should keep him moods and all! COYS!

I don’t thin kyou can compare the spending to Chelsea, we have recouped £35m in sales and spent around £40m, if we do sign Arshavin and the other Russian for £34m, we will sell Berbatov for £28m meaning the difference in money spent and money recouped is £11m odd.

Berbatov is going. Even if he didn’t he certainly wouldn’t be vice captain. Why even entertain such an idea? Ramos wants to get rid – for the money and because he doesn’t want a sulk who clearly wants to ply his trade elsewhere. Ramos and Levy have said as much in press. Berbatov would have a negative affect on the dressing room- he isn’t even on the bench for the friendlies. Time to bid him farewell and thanks for the memories.